By Date: 14-01-2014 published by Bernard Sullivan
General
As the week has gone on the weather has become cooler both in Mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. In the Iberian Peninsula the temperatures are ranging between 15 and 17 degrees during the day and between 6 and 9 degrees during the night. The Canary Islands are currently recording 16 to 19 degrees during the day but down to 8 degrees at night.
The forecast for the coming week is for very similar weather, and this means that availability is likely to remain restricted. Some products are affected more than others due to the high humidity and fluctuating temperatures and there will certainly be challenges ahead.
More varied weather in Italy has increased mildew pressure (especially on roquette, that has no genetic resistance), but it is mostly under control at present. The cold nights are helping with a more robust leaf coming through and far less pressure from insects.
International transport is still an issue and there are insufficient lorries to meet demand and distribute Spanish produce to the rest of Europe. This is mainly due to a lack of load returns back to Spain. We predict that the situation might become difficult if the weather conditions improve and availability increases.
The Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, has challenged consumers to end the country's reliance on imported food, claiming that £2bn of the £8bn worth of fruit and vegetables shipped in last year could be produced in Britain. Fresh Direct have always championed home grown, it is the British weather that doesn't!
Aubergines
There is limited availability on this product and prices are likely to remain high. The quality of the available product is very good and the fruit is clean and firm.
Broccoli
There is now a steady volume and better supply than in previous weeks. This is due to increased production in the Lorca region of Murcia and the product should now meet specification without issue.
Carrots
Stored root crops are generally of good quality, with the risk from frost relatively low at the moment the carrot quality is holding up very well.
Celery
The isolated issues from past weeks with dry sticks particularly on the edges have now pretty much gone. The quality is good and there is enough supply to meet demand and specifications.
Courgettes
The supply has become very short as some of the early season crops are coming to an end. Availability has already been dramatically reduced due to the virus that spread through the crops in Almeria. Having said that the quality is generally good and the fruit presents with the characteristic dark colour you would expect. Given the lack of availability we are having to make some concession for softness, particularly with the older crops, however this is within acceptable tolerances.
Cucumbers
The volume coming out of Spain has been decreasing as the crops have been under stress following the heavy production requirements of last month and the high intensity farming methods adopted. Supplies will be affected for the next week or so and we will need to be alert to any deviation in quality.
Herbs
Israeli crops are slowly coming back on stream and this is helping with availability, although basil still remains very tight. Quality has generally improved but we are still wary about making predictions.
Iceberg lettuce, cos lettuce and little gem
Supply is still relatively short and we are desperate for better and warmer weather to improve these products as soon as possible. High humidity levels are the underlying cause for bruising, pinking and isolated mildew. Expected shelf life is certainly reduced and head weights might not meet the specifications in full.
We are monitoring all the crops very closely and the growers are putting every effort in to improve the situation.
Lollo rosso, red oak leaf and frisse
The quality of these leaves is remarkably good considering how much the leafy salad products have suffered during recent weeks. The quality is still good and seems to be improving with better weights and a fresher, cleaner look to the lettuce.
Onions
Both red and brown onions are coming out of ambient storage and these will need to be monitored very closely for internal growth until we reach the cold stored crops. Reports from the onion stores are not encouraging. They are seeing a higher than normal % of internal defects such as bacterial rot and are guarded about the forecast. This will obviously vary from crop to crop and store to store so we will need to be a little choosy with our purchasing.
Peppers
The available quantity is only just enough to meet projected orders for the three main three colours and we can expect the volume to start decreasing as we go into next month. Some of the early plantings will be reaching the end of their cycle and we have noticed that the crops are already beginning to suffer. Many are looking tired and failing to meet the shelf life but we are pushing the growers to be extra vigilant and will be vetting the product closely before it is sent into Fresh Direct.
Salad tomatoes
These were in abundance in the run up to Christmas, but with the change in temperatures the available volume has drastically dropped. Tomatoes will be in short supply for at least another week until the warmer weather can have an effect on the plants.
We still have the full range of sizes available although to meet demand some of the fruit has been picked slightly under colour. Quality and condition is still good but our quality controllers have been told to look out for issues that may have developed in transit and after the fruit has been packed.
Cherry tomatoes
There is plenty of good quality fruit and availability on the cherry varieties is improving. The first crop is coming to an end but the second one is just about kicking in. There is therefore a higher volume of larger size 30/35mm available than usual but hopefully we will still be able to meet all programmes within the 25/30mm size range.
Melons
Our current supply of honeydew melons is coming out of Brazil and regrettably they have been experiencing some heavy rainfall that has had an adverse effect on the quality of the skin finish. We have picked up on a degree of brown tea staining but the internal quality of the fruit is fine.
Oranges
There is some good quality fruit now coming in from Egypt with sugar levels (brix) exceeding expectation.
Lemons
There are no availability issues and some good quality fruit across all the sizes. We anticipate that this may not last and the volume will start reducing in line with reduced production for the second part of the Spanish season.
